How do I tell which animal is causing the damage?
Look for evidence: tracks, droppings, tooth or claw marks, the height of damage, the time of day and the type of plant or structure affected. Different animals leave different signs. A clean bite at one height can point to a different animal than ragged tearing.
Missouri Extension and University of Maryland Extension both publish wildlife damage guides. Take photos and ask your extension office to help with identification before you take action.
- Tracks and droppings
- Height and pattern of damage
- Time of day it happens
- Type of plant, feed or structure affected
What is the best first step?
Exclusion, meaning physical barriers, is usually the most dependable method. Fences, netting, tight screens, cages around young trees and closed openings in buildings stop damage without harming animals.
Pair barriers with removing attractants. Secure feed, pick up fallen fruit, cover compost, close coops at night and store garbage safely. Often the animal is coming for something you can control.
What about scare devices and repellents?
Noise makers, lights, scarecrows and repellents may work for a short time, but animals often get used to them. Rotate or combine methods and treat them as temporary help, not a permanent answer.
If you consider any repellent product, read the label and follow it exactly. The label is the law, and some products are not allowed for certain uses. Ask your extension office what is available and legal in your state.
What are the rules about trapping or removing wildlife?
Rules about trapping, relocating and killing wildlife vary by state, county and species. Some animals are protected. Others can be removed only at certain times or by licensed people. Relocation is restricted or banned in many places.
Before you take any such step, contact your state wildlife agency and ask what is allowed for your species and situation. USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service wildlife programs in some states may also offer assistance, so ask what is available near you.
- Contact your state wildlife agency first
- Ask about protected species and seasons
- Ask whether relocation is allowed
- Ask what licenses or permits are needed
How do I protect livestock and poultry?
Use secure housing at night, strong fencing, buried or skirted wire where digging is a problem and good latches. Check for gaps after storms and at the start of each season.
Livestock guardian animals, lighting and well-planned pastures can reduce losses, but they take planning and training and do not fit every farm. Talk with your extension office before you invest.
What about disease, and when should I call for help?
Never handle sick or dead wildlife with bare hands. If an animal acts strangely, stay away and call your local animal control, health department or state wildlife agency. Keep pets and livestock vaccinated as your veterinarian advises.
If someone is bitten or scratched, they should see a doctor promptly. Disease reporting rules for livestock and poultry vary, so ask your state veterinarian.
Call your state wildlife agency or a licensed wildlife control operator if an animal is in a building, if damage is serious or if a protected species is involved. Call your veterinarian if livestock are injured. Call local authorities if an animal seems aggressive or ill. Do not corner or handle wild animals yourself. Keep children and pets away and give the animal a way to leave.
How do I keep records, and what mistakes make damage worse?
Note dates, damage, animals seen and what you tried. Patterns show up quickly, such as a certain week each year or a certain crop. Use that information to plan barriers before the problem starts.
Share information with neighbors. Wildlife moves across property lines, and local solutions work best when several landowners act together.
Acting before you know the cause is the biggest. A fence built for deer will not stop rabbits, and a trap set for a raccoon may catch the neighbor's cat. Identify first, then act. Feeding wildlife is another. Leaving out food, even for animals you like, draws more of them and sometimes brings in predators. It may also be illegal in your area. A third is using a product in ways the label does not allow. Labels are the law, and misuse can harm people, pets, wildlife and water.
- Acting before identifying the animal
- Feeding wildlife on purpose or by accident
- Using a product against the label
Key takeaways
- Identify the animal before choosing a fix.
- Use barriers and remove attractants first.
- Check state rules before trapping, relocating or removing wildlife.
- Never handle sick wildlife and see a doctor after a bite or scratch.
Sources and further reading
Last reviewed: November 12, 2026. Written by the Homestead & Small Farm Editorial Team. See our editorial policy.